Key Points
- Clarence Arcade at Ashton-under-Lyne has been reopened following extensive renovations.
- Stamford Street Central has reopened its doors to visitors on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- It now boasts of thirteen new enterprises, including a range of shops, a bakery, and a bar.
- The renovations have brought a new look to the arcade, with a combination of racing-green and gold color themes, gold leaf lettering, elaborate lanterns, and Victorian fixtures.
- Andy Kleek, an entrepreneur behind the project, is implementing it through his “Make Ashton Great Again” campaign.
- The reopening ceremony was held amidst Halloween celebrations with musical performances, activities for children, a scare maze, face painting, and a 15 meter high Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
- A mini cinema screened Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, paying homage to the local Metro Majestic Cinema which is under renovation.
- The arcade strives to create a blend of independent retail, food, leisure, and entertainment.
- Live entertainment will be offered every Saturday free of charge by acoustic bands, pianists, and others.
- Following the Halloween celebrations, the arcade will shift its focus to Christmas throughout the new year.
- The renovations form part of regeneration initiatives in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Ashton-under-Lyne (Manchester Mirror) November 07, 2026 — Clarence Arcade has reopened its doors after a major restoration, returning one of Ashton-under-Lyne’s historic shopping buildings to public use with a renewed Victorian appearance and a mix of independent businesses, food, leisure and entertainment.
As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, the Stamford Street Central arcade officially reopened following work intended to restore its Victorian character. The reopening brings 13 new businesses into the building, alongside a programme of entertainment designed to encourage visitors to spend time in the town centre.
As reported by David Parrack of Tameside Reporter, the arcade reopened to the public on Saturday, 31 October. Hundreds of people attended throughout the day, according to the report, while cosplayers, live music, film and television props, children’s workshops and free face painting formed part of the opening celebrations.
The project has been led by entrepreneur Andy Kleek as part of his wider “Make Ashton Great Again” initiative. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, Kleek said:
“We’re changing it back to its former glory, its Victorian shopping arcade glory.”
How Has the Arcade Been Restored?
The restoration has replaced the building’s former grey, office-style appearance with a more traditional Victorian shopping arcade look. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, the work includes a racing-green and gold colour scheme, gold-leaf lettering and detailing on shopfronts, ornate lanterns, and Victorian-style furniture and fittings.
As reported by Tameside Reporter, the reopened arcade also includes communal seating, with leather sofas and wingback chairs intended to create welcoming spaces for visitors. The report said the arcade had ordered 29 Chesterfield armchairs and six sofas as part of the design.
The intention, according to reporting before the opening, is to create a destination where independent businesses, shopping, food and entertainment can operate alongside one another. The Tameside Correspondent reported that the project aims to give the building an identity beyond conventional high-street shopping.
Which Businesses Have Opened?
Thirteen new businesses have opened at Clarence Arcade. As reported by Tameside Reporter, they include shops, a bakery and a bar.
The planned line-up, as reported by the Tameside Correspondent, includes a retro and vintage toy shop, a baby boutique, a tearoom, a cocktail lounge and a mini cinema. Other businesses include a shop selling pop-culture-inspired clothing, a specialist seasonal decorations and gifts business, and outlets focused on wellbeing, cards, gifts and posters.
The mix of traders is intended to support the arcade’s wider role as a leisure and retail destination. The Tameside Correspondent reported that the businesses reflect a vision for independent traders and distinctive attractions to sit alongside conventional shopping.
What Happened at the Reopening?
The reopening took place on Saturday, 31 October, from 10am until 11pm, with a Halloween-themed programme of free entertainment. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, the event included live music, family activities, horror characters and a packed schedule running across the day and evening.
One of the central attractions was a 15-metre-tall Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, accompanied by a Ghostbusters-themed cinema screening and recreated sets and props. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, horror characters supplied by Central Legion appeared between 10am and 1.30pm.
Younger visitors were offered a child-friendly scare maze, with sessions scheduled between 2pm and 3pm and again between 5pm and 6pm. A more frightening version of the maze ran after dark, with three sessions planned between 7pm and 11pm, according to the Tameside Correspondent.
Free face painting was available throughout the day. Creative workshops included magical potion making, building miniature haunted houses, creating mystical mushroom gardens and designing Halloween doors, as reported by the Tameside Correspondent.
As reported by David Parrack of Tameside Reporter, a singer performed live throughout the afternoon, while a mini cinema showed Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II on repeat. The report said the cinema reference was a nod to Ashton’s Metro Majestic Cinema, which is currently being renovated subject to planning.
What Entertainment Is Planned Next?
The arcade is expected to continue hosting free live entertainment every Saturday. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, acoustic bands, piano players and other performers are expected to feature, with communal seating designed to encourage visitors to remain, meet friends and enjoy refreshments.
The Halloween theme is due to be switched to a Christmas theme through to the new year. As reported by Tameside Reporter, work on the arcade is set to continue after the reopening.
The reopening also forms part of a broader regeneration effort in Ashton-under-Lyne. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, Andy Kleek has described the restoration as an effort to bring the building back to its Victorian shopping arcade character while creating a destination for shopping, food and entertainment.
What Does the Licensing Record Show?
A licensing application published by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council lists Monopoly Properties NW Ltd in connection with Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street Central, Ashton-under-Lyne. The application records proposed licensable activities including the supply of alcohol on the premises, live and recorded music, performance of dance, and late-night refreshment.
According to the council’s consultation listing, the proposed opening hours are 11am to 11pm from Monday to Thursday, and 11am to 3am from Friday to Sunday. The application was listed as under consultation on 27 October 2026.
Background of the Development
Clarence Arcade is located on Stamford Street Central in Ashton-under-Lyne, with the postcode OL6 7PT. The building had been identified as part of wider efforts to regenerate the town centre and restore historic shopping space.
Before the reopening, the Tameside Correspondent reported that the arcade’s owner, Andy Kleek, aimed to restore its Victorian character while establishing it as a destination for shopping, food and entertainment. The restoration was presented as a milestone in the latest regeneration efforts in Ashton.
Earlier reporting by Tameside Reporter said that, with the entire arcade under one ownership, plans were in place to transform it into a vibrant indoor shopping destination. The reopening followed those plans, with the Halloween event used to mark the building’s return to public use.
Prediction: What Could This Mean for Ashton?
For local shoppers, the reopening could provide an additional destination in Ashton-under-Lyne for independent retail, food, refreshments and entertainment. The presence of 13 new businesses, communal seating and planned weekend performances may encourage visitors to spend longer in the arcade rather than making only a short shopping trip.
For independent traders, the development could offer a venue that combines retail with leisure and events. The reported inclusion of a tearoom, cocktail lounge, mini cinema, toy shop, baby boutique and gift-focused outlets suggests an attempt to attract different customer groups, including families, shoppers and evening visitors.
For Ashton’s town centre, the project may contribute to footfall around Stamford Street Central, particularly if the planned Saturday entertainment programme continues beyond the opening period. The reported intention to change the theme from Halloween to Christmas through to the new year indicates that the operators are planning a continuing programme of seasonal activity rather than a single opening event.
For residents and visitors, the immediate effect will depend on whether the new businesses maintain regular opening hours, whether the entertainment programme continues, and whether the restored arcade becomes a regular destination. The available reporting describes the reopening and its planned programme, but does not provide sales, visitor or employment figures that would allow a fuller assessment of its long-term impact.
